EXPERIENCE: Named director of the Secret Service, March 2013; chief of staff in the Office of the Director of the U.S. Secret Service, 2008-2013; assistant director of the USSS Office of Human Resources and Training, 2006-2008; deputy assistant director of the USSS Office of Protective Operations, 2005-2006; deputy assistant director of the USSS Office of Administration, 2001-2005; special agent in charge of the USSS Office of Protective Operations, 2000-2001; joined USSS as a special agent and assigned to Miami office, 1983-85, and Orlando office, 1985-88; police officer, Orlando Police Department, 1980-83.

QUOTE: “I knew law enforcement was my area of interest and really had a personal passion toward serving others. I enjoyed being a police officer; I enjoyed the investigations. I also wanted an opportunity to travel and see what the protection side was like.” – Pierson on why she chose a career in law enforcement, to Smithsonian Magazine in 2007.